The blender is one appliance that can be found on just about any kitchen countertop. It’s essential in the preparation of a number of things, including (but not limited to!) frozen drinks, smoothies, and shakes. Purchasing a new blender can be difficult because of the myriad factors to consider, so we’re making aiming to make things a bit easier by narrowing down the selection to some of the best choices currently available on the market. (See also: Shopping Calendar: The Best Time to Buy Anything)

What Is a Blender?

A blender is a kitchen appliance that serves to mix, crush, blend, and emulsify food. These functions allow it to serve a number of purposes including blending alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, emulsifying mixtures such as vinaigrettes, making purees, and mixing ingredients together. When buying a blender, the primary factors that most people take into consideration are looks, power, and construction.

Best 5 Blenders

Ninja QB1004 Master Prep Pro Food & Drink Mixer

Well-reviewed at Consumer Reports, the Ninja QB1004 is considered a very effective blender at a budget price. Tests and reviews have found that it can blend and chop as well as pricier blenders, although it does not have the build-quality of more expensive blenders. The Ninja blender is also easy to disassemble and clean, which is another favorite quality among users. Currently $74.20 on Amazon.

Breville BBL605XL Hemisphere Control Blender

The most notable feature of the Breville BBL605XL is its innovative hemisphere blade system. A set of extra wide blades that contours along the base of the bowl and a set of central blades simultaneously pull and push ingredients and perfectly blend whatever you put in it. Users note that these blades function very well, allowing people to blend mixtures without having to stop in the middle to rearrange ingredients. Currently $199.89 on Amazon.

Hamilton Beach 51102 Single-Serve Blender

The Hamilton Beach 51102 is considered the best and most inexpensive single-serve blender on the market. With no other speed settings but a pulse button, it’s limited to basic blending projects such as simple mixing, smoothies, and shakes. However, it is very effective at what it does. The blending jar also doubles as a travel mug and fits in most car drink holders. Currently $19.00 on Amazon.

Vitamix 5200 Variable Speed Countertop Blender

Another recommended blender from Consumer Reports, the Vitamix 5200 is the powerhouse option for those looking for a long-term investment. People wanting to blend just about anything will appreciate the 2 horsepower motor that can propel blades up to 240 mph. The blending jar is BPA-free and has a 64 oz. carrying capacity for even the largest blending projects. Currently $499.95 on Amazon.

Oster BVCB07-Z Counterforms Blender

A well-reviewed mid-ranged blender, the Oster BVCB07-Z blends with a 600 watt motor and a blade that is extremely effective at crushing ice. The blender also comes with 7 different speed settings, while pre-programmed time and function settings allow for one-touch operation. The blending jar has a carrying capacity of 6 cups, is dishwasher safe, and is thermal shock tested — it’s capable of withstanding extreme temperature differences. Currently $59.99 on Amazon.

Got the Oster as a wedding present. My husband dropped the body of the Oster and it shattered sending a gazillion little shards everywhere. Very, very unsafe.

Trying to get access to Oster on line to make arrangements to have the body replaced was a painful process. Finally when we did manage to reach Oster the replacement body was going to cost more than purchasing another Oster.

We waited until it went on sale and got another. I recently found out that I can use mason jars and they fit perfectly onto the base. I wish I would have known that before searching out a replacement body. It would have saved me a lot of time and money.

Blender is really important in daily life no matter it is for making smoothie or handling food. According to my experience, you have to think carefully about your purpose, like for smoothie, drinks, or meats. As you’ve mentioned in your article, all blenders have their own pros and cons, and the prices vary a lot.